We all have that one friend who bought a RM200 tank setup, only for their fish to die in two weeks.
It makes people think: “Fish keeping is expensive and hard.”
Today, I am going to prove them wrong. I am taking on the RM50 Aquarium Challenge.
The Rules:
- Must include a tank, water conditioner, food, and the fish.
- Must be safe for the fish (no torture bowls!).
- Must be bought locally (Shopee or Local Fish Shop).
Let’s see if we can build a happy home for a Betta Fish (Ikan Laga) with just one purple note (RM50).
The Shopping List (Bajet Pecah Tabung)
1. The Tank (Rumah)
Don’t Buy: The tiny “Lego” blocks or those small jars. They are cruel.
Do Buy: A simple PLASTIC tank (Gex box style) or a basic 4-inch glass cube.
- Where: Local Fish Shop (LFS) or MR.DIY.
- Target Price: RM 10 – RM 12
2. The Water Conditioner (Wajib!)
You cannot use tap water directly! Chlorine kills fish.
Do Buy: A generic brand “Anti-Chlorine.” You don’t need Seachem Prime yet. The RM2 yellow or blue bottle works fine for this budget.
- Where: Any Aquarium Shop.
- Target Price: RM 2 – RM 4
3. The Food (Makan)
Bettas eat very little. One pack lasts months.
Do Buy: Basic Betta pellets (like Akar or generic brands).
- Where: Shopee or LFS.
- Target Price: RM 5 – RM 8
4. The Decor (Keselesaan)
Bettas hate bare tanks. They need somewhere to hide.
The Free Hack: Go find a dried Ketapang Leaf (Daun Ketapang) by the roadside. Wash it, dry it, and put a small piece in. It turns the water brownish (tea color), which Bettas LOVE because it mimics their natural river habitat.
- Where: Roadside (Free) or Shopee.
- Target Price: RM 0 (Free)
5. The Fish (The Star)
You can’t buy a Show Grade competition fish here.
Do Buy: A standard Halfmoon or Plakat (Grade B or commercial stock). They are still beautiful and healthy!
- Where: Look for the jars on the floor at the shop, not the ones on the high shelves.
- Target Price: RM 10 – RM 15
The Grand Total
| Item | Cost |
| Plastic Tank (Size M) | RM 12.00 |
| Anti-Chlorine (Generic) | RM 3.00 |
| Betta Pellets | RM 6.00 |
| Daun Ketapang | RM 0.00 |
| Betta Fish (Plakat) | RM 15.00 |
| TOTAL | RM 36.00 |
Mission Accomplished! We are well under the RM50 budget. You even have RM14 change to buy a cup of Tealive to celebrate.
Wait, where is the Filter and Air Pump?
This is the secret to the budget build: Bettas do not need an air pump.
- They have a special organ called a Labyrinth Organ that lets them breathe air from the surface.
- The Trade-off: Since there is no filter to clean the poop, you MUST change the water manually.
- Routine: Change 30% of the water every 3-4 days. Easy.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be rich to start this hobby. With RM50, you can save a Betta from a tiny cup and give it a decent home.
If you are a beginner, start with this “RM50 Setup.” If your fish is still happy after 3 months, then you can upgrade to the RM300 Aquascape tank!
